Improvement in the method of making baskets for catching eels



, UNITED STATES PATENT4 OEErc.

JOHN DOWNS, OFBELLPORT, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN THE METHOD 0F MAKING BASKETS FOR CATCHING EELS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 3,056, dated April 25,1843.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN DOWNS, of near Bellport, in the county ofSuffolk and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Method ofMaking Baskets for Catching Eels, which is described as follows,reference being had to the annexed drawings of the saine, making part ofthis specification.

Figure lis the elevation of the inverted frustnm of a cone in which thefunnel of the trap isforined. Fig. 2 is the'cylinder on which the pot orbody is formed; Fig. 3, frustuin of a cone for contracting' the upperend or top of the pot or body of the trap. Fig. at is the frusturn of acone on which the cap is formed that covers the contracted part of thepot.

Similar letters refer to corresponding parts.

Place the inverted frust-uin of a cone, A, of the required size of thefunnel of the eel-trap (previouslyT perforated through the center) upona vertical stein or standard, B, the smaller end of the frusturn of acone resting on a collar, G, of the stein B. The stein or standard B isinserted into a block or bench, G, or other convenient place. A band isput around the smaller portion ot' the block. The warp is then insertedbetween the band and block. The weft is then woven into the warp untilit reaches the top or larger part of the block. This forms the funnel,which is then ready to be removed from the block and inserted into thepot or body of the eel-trap in its required position.

The pot or body is formed on a cylindrical block, D, which is about halfthe length of the required pot, and of the saine diameter of theinterior of said pot, commencing the weaving about the middle of thelength of the .block` and working downward, the block being previouslyplaced on a vertical standard in the manner of the other block orinverted frustum of a cone, before described, two bands being also firstput around the block, between which and said bands the warp is inserted.As the work progresses the warp is slipped down on the block, and thework continued by working moved from the block and linished With a cir-Vcular hoop or rim and binding. This finishes the body or eel-pot.

The funnel is then put into the pot or body and there secured by bindingand inserting the ends of the warp of the funnel between the filling ofthe pot or body and binding it se curely.

The cap may be also made on a block, F, or it may be made by hand in theusual manner. The cylinder or block may be made hollow or solid, aspreferred. The hollow cylinder is found to be the most convenient inpractice.

What I claim as my invention, and which I desire to secure by LettersPatent, is-

The combination of the block Afor forming the funnel of the trap,theblookD for forming the pot or body, and the block E for forming theupper end of the basket, the three being adapted to each other for thepurpose and in the manner described.

JOHN DOWNS.

r Witnesses E. S. MULFORD, J. W. PHILLIPS.

